USA > Iowa > Warren County > History of Warren County, Iowa : from its earliest settlement to 1908; with biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county > Part 84
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Unto John Michener and his second wife was born one son, Francis B., whose birth occurred in Mahaska county, Iowa, August 21, 1872. He was brought by his parents to Warren county in 1876, was here reared and educated and has operated the home farm for the past twenty years. In the conduct of his agricultural interests he has met with a gratifying and enviable measure of success and is widely recognized as one of the enterprising and progressive young farmers of the community.
On the 9th of October, 1895, in this county, Francis B. Michener was united in marriage to Miss Florence Gibbons, who was born in Belmont township, Warren county, May 7, 1873, a daughter of Lindley II. and Mary (White) Gibbons. The mother of Mrs. F. B. Michener was born in Morgan county, Indiana, and accompanied her parents on their removal to Warren county in 1849, when but nine years of age, the family home being established near Palmyra. Her father's death occurred near Ackworth and her mother passed away at the old home. On the 1st of June, 1872, at Palmyra, Mary White gave her hand in marriage to Lindley H. Gibbons. The latter was born in Belmont county, Ohio, in June, 1836, but came to Warren county, Iowa, at an early day and at the time of his marriage located a half mile east of Motor, in Belmont township, where his death occurred in 1894. His wife still survives him, having now attained the age of sixty-nine years. Mrs. F. B. Michener, their only child, was reared in Belmont township and attended the academy at Ackworth, coming under the instruction of Professor Beard and Professor Carter. She is now the mother of three children, namely: John L., who was born August 14, 1896; Eva Laura, born September 21. 1899; and Rhena May. whose natal day was September 16, 1902.
In his political views Francis B. Michener is a republican, with strong temperance tendencies. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Milo, while in religious faith he and his family are
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Friends. Having been a resident of this county for almost a third of a century he is well known and highly esteemed and the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
JOHN H. RANDLEMAN.
John H. Randleman, who is one of the most progressive farmers, stock- raisers and fruit-growers of Warren county, has a beautiful home adjoining the village of Carlisle in Allen township. He is a native of Missouri, born in Johnson county, February 6, 1856, and is a son of Captain M. C. Randleman, who was a hero of two wars.
The father was born in North Carolina on the 9th of December, 1830, and was about two years of age when he accompanied his father, John Randleman, on his removal to Owen county, Indiana, where the Captain grew to manhood. He joined the army at the time of the Mexican war, and after his return home was married to Miss Naney Hicks, a native of Indiana, from which state they removed to Johnson county, Missouri, at an early day. There the wife died in 1857, and he subsequently married again. In 1859 he came to Warren county, Iowa, and settled on a farm in Allen township, where he continued to make his home throughout the remainder of his life. He was a prominent farmer and a most highly respected citizen of his community. When the country became involved in civil war he enlisted from Carlisle and raised a company, which was mustered in as Company B, Tenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, serving until discharged for disability in 1863. He served with the rank of captain and after his return home raised a militia company, which he drilled.
John H. Randleman was only three years of age when the family came to Warren county and he is indebted to the Carlisle schools for the educational advantages he enjoyed during his youth. On the 1st of October, 1876, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Stumbo, who was born and reared in this county, a daughter of William Stumbo, one of the first settlers of the county. The children born of this union are as follows: Curtis, who is now married and is engaged in farming and stock-raising in Idaho; Lulu, the wife of Hardin Keeney, a farmer of Polk county; Everett, who also follows farming; William, who operates one of his father's farms; Fred, who is married and occupies a part of the home farm; Mabel, Teresa and Travis, all at home, and Emma, who died at the age of two years.
For five years after his marriage Mr. Randleman engaged in farming on rented land and then purchased eighty acres in Allen township, Polk county, near Carlisle, where he lived for twenty-five years. In the meantime he kept adding to his property as his financial resources increased until he now owns four hundred and sixty-three acres lying partly in Polk county and over the line in Allen township, Warren county. This is divided into two farms on which are three sets of buildings. In 1907 Mr. Randleman purchased twenty-nine acres of land adjoining Carlisle and has built thereon a large
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two-story residence, heated by furnace, lighted by acetylene gas. furnished with bath and toilet and every modern convenience usually found in a city home. It is one of the largest and best residenees in the county.
In polities Mr. Randleman is independent. supporting the men whom he believes best qualified for office regardless of party lines, and in Polk county he served as township trustee and as school director for sixteen years and president of the board several years. As a public-spirited and progressive cit- izen he has taken an active part in the development and upbuilding of this section of the state and is justly regarded as one of its foremost farmers. In business affairs he is energetic, prompt and notably reliable, and the suc- eess that has come to him is but the merited reward of his own well directed labors for he started out in life for himself empty-handed.
JAMES FINLEY SAMSON.
James Finley Samson, cashier of the First National Bank of Indianola. is numbered among the native sons of Wapello county, Iowa, where his birth occurred January 5. 1858. His father. Seth Samson, was a native of Indiana and of Welsh descent. His father was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. Seth Samson became a farmer and was also a local preacher of the Methodist church. He removed from Indiana to Towa at an early day and settled in Van Buren county. while later he resided in Wapello connty and afterward in Decatur county. He is still living at the advanced age of eighty-three years and now makes his home in Des Moines.
James F. Samson was reared to the occupation of farming and attended the country schools, but ambitious for further educational privileges. he entered Simpson College in 1878 and there pursued his studies for three years. For five terms he engaged in teaching in the country schools of Union township and putting aside professional duties at the end of that time he turned his attention to the banking business. becoming bookkeeper in 1881 in the First National Bank of this city. For twenty-seven years he has been continuously connected with the institution and has gradually worked his way upward through successive promotions until 1898. when he was elected cashier. He is now serving in that capacity and is also one of the directors of the bank. Aside from his duties in this connection. he has some farming interests. He is a popular and obliging official. always courteous to the patrons of the bank and at the same time most loyal to the interests of the institution which he represents.
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In February. 1888. Mr. Samson was married to Miss Ada E. Sandy. a danghter of Jeremiah G. and Mary J. Sandy. The father was a farmer and stock-raiser and in the later years of his life was president of the First National Bank of Indianola. Mrs. Samson was born in Union township. this county. and by her marriage has become the mother of three daughters: Eloise. born Janvary 25. 1889; Mary Alice. July 23. 1896; and Carrie Margaret. August 22.
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1905. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, interested in its work and liberal in its support. Mr. Samson is now serving as one of its board of trustees. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and gives his political endorsement at the polls to the republican party. He has never been an office seeker but has served as school director and was always interested in the progressive measures which tend to promote the interests of the county along material, intellectual, social and moral lines.
WILLIAM T. BUTLER.
William T. Butler has throughout his active business life been prominently identified with the farming and stock-raising interests of Warren county and is today the owner of a well improved and valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres on section 20, Otter township. He was born upon this place. December 28, 1865, a son of William H. and Serepta E. (Truitt) Butler, both now deceased.
The father was born in Virginia in 1815 and spent the first eight years of his life in his native state. At that tender age he was thrown upon his own resources and had to make his way in the world unaided. Coming west he first located in Wisconsin, where he and his brother subsequently engaged in the stock business, and met with success in that undertaking. In 1860 he came to Warren county, Iowa, and secured one hundred and sixty acres of land in Otter township where our subject now lives. To the improvement and culti- vation of that property he at onee turned his attention and as time passed he became an extensive farmer, operating four hundred acres when he retired from active labor in 1878 and removed to Indianola, there spending his remain- ing days. While engaged in farming he always gave considerable attention to the stock business. He was an ardent democrat in politics and was a member of the Masonic fraternity. After a useful and well spent life, he passed away in 1884. His wife, who was born in Greene county, Indiana, June 12. 1831. also died in Indianola in 1894. She was reared in her native state, making her home there until her marriage. when shortly afterward she came with her husband to Warren county in 1860. In religious faith she was a Presbyterian. Three children were born to them : Thomas Luther, who was born in 1862 and died in 1864; William T .. of this review : and Edwin P., who was born in 1867 and is now engaged in farming in Otter township. He married Miss Kate L. Liston, a daughter of William Liston, who resides with them.
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William T. Butler spent his boyhood and youth upon the home farm and sinee attaining man's estate has engaged in its cultivation. He received a good practical education in the common schools, and has always engaged in stock-raising in connection with general farming. In 1887 he was married to Miss Lorena Amos, a daughter of James Amos, deceased, and to them were horn seven children : Esther Pearl. Mary Ellen. Thomas A., Ruth Eva, Blanche and Olive Mae. all at home ; and one who died in infancy.
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In religious faith Mr. and Mrs. Butler are Methodists and attend service at Brown's Chapel. He also holds membership in the blue lodge of the Masonic order at Indianola, the Modern Brotherhood and a fraternal insurance society. Politically he is a democrat, though he favors prohibition, and gives an earnest support to all measures which he believes will promote the moral, educational and material welfare of his township and county.
JOSEPH P. MOSHER.
Joseph P. Mosher, who is now living retired on his farm of one hundred and forty acres on section 22, Liberty township, was born in Morrow county, Ohio, October 5, 1836, his parents being Asa and Sarah P. (Bunker) Mosher. The father was born in Washington county. New York, in 1802. and when about sixteen years of age accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio, both his father and mother passing away in that state. He was reared in the Buckeye state and throughout his entire life followed agricultural pursuits. He owned a farm in Morrow county, which he sold on his removal to Iowa in June, 1853, locating in Liberty township. one mile south of what is now Liberty Center, where he made his home until his death. He entered seven hundred acres of land from the government, improved his home place and divided the remainder among his children. His was the seventh family to locate here. but the first to operate and improve a farm on the prairie. Many wolves and deer roamed at will and wild game of all kinds was plentiful. Groceries and provisions were hauled from the Mississippi river, and in the winter of 1853-54 Mr. Mosher bought corn at ten cents per bushel. hauling it from beyond Palmyra. Hay was easily procurable on the prairie.
Mr. Mosher was one of the first trustees when the township was organized and served in various other township offices. He was originally a Quaker and in the early days religious services were often held at his home, but later he joined the New Light church. In political allegiance he was an old-line aboli- tionist. He passed away December 20. 1886, when almost eighty-four years of age. and Warren county mourned the loss of one of its most worthy and honored pioneer settlers. His wife, who was born on Nantucket island in 1804. passed away here in 1887. She was also identified with the New Light church. They were the parents of the following children, seven of whom accompanied them to Iowa: Stephen, who makes his home near Motor in Belmont township; Jonathan, a resident of Cloud county, Kansas; Susan B .. the wife of Enos Crumerine. living at Jewell, Kansas; Joseph P .. of this re- view ; Elijah. of Cromanton. Florida ; Angeline. the wife of Jesse Johnson, who resides south of Liberty Center on a part of the old home; Mary Ann. wife of Lemuel Briggs, who makes his home near Grimes. Dallas county. Iowa; and Obadiah, a resident of Liberty township, who passed away in 1904.
.Joseph P. Mosher accompanied his parents on their removal to this county in June, 1853. He had begun his education in the schools of his
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native state and after coming to this county attended a subscription school which was ereeted by his father and some of the neighbors and of which his sister Susan, was the first teacher. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-two years of age, when he was married and settled on his present farm on section 22, Liberty township, the land having been entered by his father. When our subject took possession of the tract it was all wild prairie but as the years have passed he has brought it under a high state of cultivation. The many fine improvements which are now seen on the place were all made by him and he likewise planted and set out all the trees. In addition to this farm. which comprises one hundred and forty acres, he also owns pasture and timber land along Otter Creek. Having gained a comfortable competence through the careful management of his agricultural interests, he is now living retired, enjoying in well earned ease the fruits of his former toil.
Mr. Mosher was united in marriage to Miss Angeline James, who was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, December 25, 1841, a daughter of Samuel and Phoebe (Hartley) James. The parents came to eastern Iowa in 1849 and the following year came to Warren county, locating on Otter Creek in what is now Liberty township. Both the Hartley and the James families were old settlers in Ohio. Mrs. Mosher was one of the family of ten chil- dren. Those still living are as follows: Mrs. Mosher, who was the oldest ; Rachel, the wife of Foster Griffith. of Buena Vista county, Iowa; Libbie, the wife of Rev. W. A. Shannon, living in Minneapolis, Minnesota; John, who wedded Lneretia Bird and resides in Harrison county, Iowa; Phoebe, the wife of George Phillips, living at Lewiston, Idaho; Amy, who became the wife of Reed Randalman and makes her home in Missouri, and Samuel, who lives near Carlisle, this county.
In his political views Mr. Mosher is a staneh republican and has served in all township offices except that of assessor. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Liberty Center, while his wife is a member of the Rebekahs. She is a Quaker in religious belief and is identified with the Friends ehureh at Liberty Center. She and her husband will celebrate their golden wedding on the 7th of November. 1908. They are highly esteemed pioneer settlers of this county, receiving the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded those who have traveled thus far on life's journey.
T. M. CLOUGH.
Prominent among the pioneers of this section of the state was T. M. Clough. now deceased, who came to Warren county in 1846. and bore an active part in its early development and prosperity. He was a native of Ohio, born in Wash- ington county on the 5th of October. 1817, and was a son of Aaron and Sarah (Delano) Clough. The former was a representative of an old New England
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THOMAS M. CLOUGH
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family and was born in Massachusetts March 9. 1765. He spent his early life in the east and in 1788 removed with Rufus Putnam's company to Mari- etta, Ohio. The mother of our subject was born June 26, 1871.
In the state of his nativity T. M. Clough passed the days of his boyhood and youth and on reaching manhood he was married July 3, 1854, to Miss Lydia Rice, of Meigs county, Ohio, who was born on the 20th of September, 1829. Prior to his marriage Mr. Clough had come to Iowa in 1846, and settled on a farm near Summerset, where throughout the remainder of his life he en- gaged in agricultural pursuits, owning and operating a well improved place. He died on the 10th of April .. 1878. honored and respected by all who knew him. He had many friends in Warren county. and his death was deeply mourned.
WILLIAM CLARK.
William Clark, a farmer and stock-raiser located on section 5, Otter township. is of English descent. having been born in Lincolnshire, England, February 18. 1859, the son of Bilton and Anna (Cawthorne) Clark. He was one of fourteen children, five of whom have come to America to make their homes, while the others, who are living, reside in England. Of those who are residents of this country. G. H. resides in Lincoln township, this county. Two brothers and two sisters reside in MeLean county. Illinois. The mother died in 1888. aged forty-two years. The father still resides in Lincolnshire, England. and though he is now eighty-two years of age he is still hale and hearty and is working at his trade, which is that of tailor.
The educational advantages which Mr. Clark enjoyed were quite limited and in his desire to advance himself he attended night school. When but seventeen years of age he came to America and located in McLean county. Illinois, where he engaged in farming. He was attracted to that section by his acquaintance with some English people who had removed to that locality some years previously. He resided there continuously for twenty years, dur- ing which time he made a success of his farming operations, but desirons of owning his own property, in March, 1896. he settled up his business affairs in Illinois and removed to Jasper county. Towa, from where he had received good reports of the character of the land which could be bought much more cheaply than could the desirable land of the county in which he was located. His investigations resulted in his purchase of his present farm of two hundred and twenty-one acres in Otter township. this county. in 1897. to which he re- moved and took up his residence in the spring of 1898. Here he combines the business of stock-raising with that of general farming and is regarded as a successful business man.
In 1880 William Clark was married in MeLean county. Illinois, to Miss Harriet Dance, also a native of Lincolnshire. England. and daughter of John and Mary (Booth) Dance. Her father was an agriculturist of that county.
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and, followng his death, her mother came to America to reside in 1871, be- coming the wife of William Johnson, of MeLean county. Here she died in 1885, aged sixty-seven years. Mr. Johnson survived her for six years, passing away in 1891. Mrs. Clark was one of six children, all of whom came to America with their mother. Mary died at Cuba, Fulton county, Illinois, in 1876. She had married William Malander, by whom she had three children, two sons and one daughter. Sarah married Henry Geise and died Christmas day, 1907, leaving six daughters and three sons. They all reside in Illinois, excepting one daughter who resides in Missouri and one daughter in Dakota. William, a farmer of Nebraska, married Julia Steele and they have become the parents of six children. John is a coal miner of Fulton county, Illinois. He is married and has two daughters living. Elizabeth married James D). Adams and they became the parents of six children. Following the death of her husband she was married the second time to John Tice, and they now make their home in MeLean county, Illinois.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. William Clark have been born five children. Claudes R., a resident of Colorado City, Colorado, married Miss Ethel Loper and to this union have been born two children, Leverett E. and Royal William. Leslie M., a farmer of Otter township. married Miss Pearle Labertew and they have become the parents of one daughter, Lucile Marie. Arthur B., Elmer W. and Mary reside at home with their parents.
In polities Mr. Clark is a republican. He is always interested in the affairs of local government and has served as township trustee for the past eight years. He has also served as school director ever since locating in this neighborhood.
OLIVER P. JUDKINS, M. D.
There is no representative of professional life in Indianola who more justly deserves to be ranked with the self-made men of the county than does Dr. Oliver P. Judkins, who through his own labors acquired the funds neces- sary to meet his expenses while he was qualifying for the practice of medicine and surgery. He was born in Indianola, August 31, 1870. his parents being William M. and Ella (Thompson) Judkins. His father, a native of Indiana. is now living at the age of sixty-two years. Both he and his wife are of English lineage. He has for many years engaged in business as a plasterer and, while living a quiet. uneventful life, he has always enjoyed the full respect of his fellow townsmen. Both he and his wife are members of the Presby- terian church and in social relations he is identified with the Odd Fellows. while his political views are indicated by the endorsement which he gives to the republican party at the polls. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Judkins were born four children, the second in order of birth being Fannie. now the wife of John Graham. a merchant of Galesburg, Illinois; C. H. and Edna, both at home.
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Dr. Judkins began his education as a pupil in the Indianola schools and passed through successive grades until he was graduated from the high school with the class of 1890. He read medicine with Dr. J. D. MeCleary, entering the office in December, 1890, and continuing his studies there for four years. In the fall of 1891 he matriculated in the medical department of the State University of Iowa, where he spent two sessions and in 1894 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, being graduated therefrom in 1895. On the 1st of May of that year he located for practice at Summerset, Iowa, where he continued until 1897. He then resumed his studies in the Rush Medical College, where he was graduated in the spring of 1898, this being the first class to leave the institution after it became the medical de- partment of the Chicago University. Dr. Judkins then returned to Summer- set and remained there until 1902, when he came to Indianola, where he is still in active practice, meeting with marked success. Through his whole course of professional training he made his own way and thus displayed the elemental strength of his character, whereby he has overcome difficulties and obstacles and gained an enviable position as an able representative of his chosen profession. In addition to a large private practice he is now examiner for several insurance companies and for the past five years has been coroner of the county. He now belongs to the County, the District, the State and the American Medical Associations.
In 1894 Dr. Judkins was joined in wedlock to Miss Laura B. Hall, who was born in this county in 1871. a daughter of Loveridge and Lucy (Frame) ITall. They now have two interesting children, Katherine Bernice and Oliver Duane. Dr. and Mrs. Judkins are members of the Presbyterian church and he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Modern Woodmen of America. Politically he is a republican but has had little time for active participation in political or public affairs other than to lend his influence on the side of progress. His attention is given to his professional duties and in his practice he manifests the strictest regard for a high standard of professional ethics.
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